Mobile Payment Using DTMF Signaling

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for mobile payment using dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals. A mobile device equipped with at least a speaker and an input is used to connect to a server on the mobile network. Upon authentication of a user of the mobile device, the server generates the payment key, translates the key to DTMF signals, and plays the DTMF signals over the speaker of the mobile device. The user holds the mobile device speaker close to a microphone of a DTMF scanner at a POS terminal. The DTMF scanner includes logic that extracts the payment key from the DTMF signals, and the POS terminal uses the payment key to bill the user. The POS terminal transmits the bill with the payment key to the server on the network. The server ensures that the key is active, and debits an account for the user based on the amount presented in the bill. The key is de-activated after a specified time period or one use, whichever occurs first.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to mobile devices. In particular, the present invention relates to authenticating and making payments at a point-of-sale (POS) using a mobile device.[0003]2. Background of the Invention[0004]There are estimated to be 3.3 billion active cellular telephones in use across the world today. The average cost of these telephones is $25. Obviously, the majority of these phones have limited functionality. Although most modern telephones in developed countries have functionality similar to that of personal computers, the majority of phones in use today are simple devices having only the ability to send and receive telephone calls, especially for those phones found in developing countries.[0005]This is not to say that users of such phones do not have a need for advanced features. Regardless of country of residence, social standing, income level, etc., the information revolution is taking over, and cer...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Advantageously, using DTMF signals allows every mobile device to be used as a payment device, not just smart-phones or NFC-equipped phones. Advantageously, the key is de-activated after a specified time period or after one use, thereby ensuring that any eavesdroppers will not be able to conduct transactions using the key. Besides simply identifying a user, the key may be a credit card number, bank account and routing numbers, or a temporary key that is tied to a particular credit card or bank account. Advantageously, the DTMF scanner can be inexpensively incorporated into existing POS terminals as added hardware, software, or any combination of the two. This system could also be used to transmit the unique key from a consumers mobile device to a telephone coupled to a POS terminal. Advantageously, a user can program a maximum amount per transaction to prevent abuse by an operator of the POS terminal or other entities. Advantageously, a user can enable an authorization method, whereby the server on the network transmits an authorization request of the amount to the user before the user is billed. The authorization request can be triggered by transactions exceeding a predetermined amount adjustable by the user.

Problems solved by technology

Obviously, the majority of these phones have limited functionality.

Credit cards are a prime example of such payment methods, however, credit cards can be lost, stolen, and can be forgotten.

However, this requires NFC-equipped phones, which leads to added costs to modify phones and POS terminals.

Further, the information stored on the phone itself leads to insecurity.

Sensitive information can be stolen from the phone, or the phone itself can be stolen and / or hacked.

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